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My cat scratched me. Should I be concerned about cat scratch fever?

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My cat scratched me. Should I be concerned about cat scratch fever?

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It’s an old rock ‘n roll song, but is cat scratch fever something to worry about? It’s true – getting scratched by a cat can lead to health problems, but there’s usually no need for alarm. Cat scratch disease – once known as cat scratch fever – is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted from an infected cat to a human through a scratch or bite. Most cases occur in children who have been scratched by a kitten.

The symptoms of cat scratch disease usually include an infected wound. Swelling of the lymph nodes, and a fever. In most cases, the disease is relatively mild and no treatment is required. However, people with depressed immune systems should see a physician because they may need antibiotics.

-Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the "Purina® Animal Instincts" Podcast Series

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